The Upstate man who had more than 140 dogs removed from his home earlier this month went before a judge Friday morning.

Dale Ferguson was in court to face five counts of animal cruelty, including hoarding animals and running a puppy mill; three counts of not displaying rabies tag and one count of improper disposal of dead carcass.

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Earlier this month a tip led Greenville County officers to Ferguson’s home on Dunklin Bridge Road in Fountain Inn, where they found 157 animals, mostly dogs.

The animals were taken from the home and handed over to Greenville County Animal Care.

An animal rescue group said some of the dogs were so badly abused and neglected, it will take weeks of treatment before they can go to their forever homes.

Officers said a large number of the animals were in small cages out in direct sun. They said several of them had mange and looked to be in poor health. The officers said inside the home they found animals living in filthy conditions.

Greenville County Animal Care workers said that many of the dogs had problems with their skin, eyes and teeth and they had fleas, worms, mammary tumors and heartworms.

Two Pomeranian dogs rescued from the home were found with what appear to be severe chemical burns, according to the rescue group. Another dog died from chemical burns, according to Animal Care.

Ferguson claimed some of the more than 100 dogs were his own. He said others came from breeders.

"We actually took them in from them so they wouldn't be put on the side of the road," he said.

Ferguson said he took care of the dogs and treated them for worms and gave them shots.

Ferguson, who did not have any attorney, entered an Alford plea Friday -- which does not admit guilt, but acknowledges likely conviction if taken to trial.

The judge also asked Ferguson about a dead animal found in the woods. Ferguson said he had lived on the property since he was a child and that’s how they disposed of animals growing up. He said he had no idea he had to properly dispose of animals.

Ferguson had the choice to pay $6,270 or go to jail.

He told the judge he didn’t have the money so Ferguson was sentenced to 90 days in jail.